Telephone-exchange.



PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906.

. W. M. MAREAN, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 6,1904.

bering machine digitcndicators the numbers on which when,

v a a. r'r'w nq ri n instills a lLLlrihi blriRVib lLlA'tEAbL OFBELYHDERE ELI lNOiS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Juno 6,1994- Serial Ho. 211,263;

ticular numberof the connection such subscriber Wishes; and theinvention has for its primary objectato provide improved means forimparting such information/to the central operator visually instead oforally, and thereby eliminate the necessity of a telephone at thecentral station and the -probability of the operator misunderstandingthe number.

With these ends in view the invention con- ,sists in certain features ofnovelty in the con:

struction, comb nation, and arrangement of by which the said object andcertain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fullydescribed with reference to the accompanying drawing and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims. f

The said drawing is a conventional or die:

grainmatie illustration of a telephone-ex chan e embed ins an exam leor" m inven-f o 0 Y c .tion.

In illustrating the invention all details of construction of thetelephone- Xchange Well familiar with this art and not necessary for anunderstanding of this invention have been omitted for the sa r ofsimplicity in illustration and brevity of def scripticn.

fit the central exchange is located a numcomprising a plurality of readwith reference to their respective indexes indicate the number of theswitch or connection which the subscriber wishes to obtain, and thesedigit-indicators are capable of actuation independently by thesubscriber through the aid of an apparatus which of course-forconvenience is automatic in its operation, excepting in so far as torequire ;he subscriber to' impart to it the initial or starting action;The number of these digitmdicators employed will or" course be dependent upon the number of subscribers in the telephone-exchange; but asimple illustration I have shown three of the lliiLllClllGlS,

. dreds.

their pivots their digits spectivoly.

[ thus making this example of the apparatus in an exchange Whosesubnumbers do not exceed the hunlt will of course be understood,however, that to increase the number of the indicaters above anyplurality of them will require mere duplication of parts. In theconventional form of these indicators shown capable of use scribers inthe drawing they are represented as segmerits A B C, which stand,respectively, for umts,-tens, and hundreds, and each of whrch cars acipher and the nine digits. Thus by moving these indicators A B U withrelation to an index or the index with relation to the indicators thedesired number may be made manifest In the conventional form the index,which in practice might more conveniently be constituted by an openingin the casing lnclosing said indicators, is here represented as apointer D. In this exemplifies tion of the invention the indicators A BC are pivoted on suitable pivots E and are capable of gravitating untiltheir ciphers come opposite the points D, so that if rotated upwardly onwill successivel come opposite said points, respectively, for indicatingthe number desired, and if subsequently released by the lifting meansthey will gravitate and resume their normal position with the ciphersopposite the pointers, as now shown in the drawing. To the end that theymay be thus lifted step by step they are provided with segnientqacks a b0, respectively, and engaging with these racks, respectively, are pawlsor other suitable means F GE, mounted upon pivoted armature-lcvers f 97L, which springs f g )t for moving the pawls into engagement With thesegmentaa'cks, and thus actuating the segmentsA B C, the pawls beingmoved in the opposite direction by electroresponsive devices or magnetsl J K, re-

the positions in which they are thus placed by stop dogs or pawls L M N,all of Which are suitably connected together, so that whenone isreleased all Will be released, and the releasing of these will alsoeffect the release of the pawls F G H Any suitable means may be employedfor doing this. As

I a simple illustration of the idea the pawls L N are shown on the endsof bell-cranks Zmm,respectively, and so situated that when the cranksare rocked the pawls L BIN will stri :e p'awls G H. The other arms ofare connected to The segments A B C are held to r it willbe understoodthe bell-cranks are connected to springs O, which hold the pawls L M Nin engagemen with their respective segments a b c, and are alsoconnected to a single operating rod or handle P, having looseconnections p therewith, so that the pawls may be sinmltaneouslyreleased, but may independently opcrate. The handle P is accessible tothe operator at the central exchange, so that alter the desired numberhas been indicated and the connection obtained the central operator mayrestore all of the segments A B C to the former or initial position.

The magnets I J K have their individual circuits 'i 7c, respectively,one side of each of which is connected to a battery or suitable sourceof electricity R, which is shown as grounded at '2", while the othersides of these circuits '11 k are connected to individual contacts i 7"respectively, arranged in a series which is preferably circular andcentral with respect to a revolving switch S, adapted to sweep over suchcontacts in succession, so that it \"ill move from the first over theintermediate ones to the last and then-tron the last immediately backagain to thefirst. This i witch S is thus revolved by means under thecontrol of the subscriber, and as an example of such a means aratchet-wheel s is shown and is provided with as many teeth as there arecontacts i 9' 7c, three of such teeth being shown in this conventionalillustration, although in practice it might not be feasible to operate aratchet-wheel with only threeiteeth for this purpose, and it may benecessary, therefore, to duplicate the contacts t j i'c' successively ina circular series in order. that the teeth of the ratchet may beduplicated and made shorter; but as this is a simple ex- )edient obviousfrom the present disclosure without further description andillustration. Suflice it to say that when the contacts are thusduplicated all of those which are intended to actuate the magnet I, forexample, will be connected to gether, and those for the magnet J will beconnected together, and so on. The ratchetwhecl s is electricallyconnected with one end of a main signal-circi'iit 'l in any suitableway, and the other end of said circuit "1 is electrically connected witha movable termi nal in the form of a revolving, arm 'l", having a hub'l, engaged by a brush '1 at the end of wire l and this arm or terminal"l" SWOCPS successively over a plurality oi series of contacts T T whichcorrespond, rcspeclively, with the units, tons, and hundreds indicatorsA ll (3, and which contacts in each series are numbered from i to .3,corresponding with the numbers on the indicators A B (l for the sake ofconvenience in reading the drawing. 'lhesc series oli' contacts areconnected, respectively, with three series of contacts 'l 'l 'l", eachequal in number to the number of contacts in said first seriei'gundaraMas l i l l contacts i y on at that time.

ranged to ground any one or all of these contacts T T T" are movablecontacts of any suitable construction, (shown in the form segments U UUK) which have ground con- I nections U U ll, respectively. Thus it willbe seen that if one ol the contacts U U U2 ries of contacts T T themovable terminal T be then caused to sweep over the series of contacts TT T impulse will pass into-the main signal-circuit T every time saidterminal or arm T en ages one of the contacts that connected wit 1 theearth through one or more of the segments U U U and consequently acorresponding number of vibrations will result in one of the armaturesfg7L-, according to which one of the 7c the switch S happens to restTherefore if the segment U which corresponds to the units segment A. beplaced in a position to overlap the two upper contacts of the series I,for example, and the arm T is then set in motion around its circularcourse the device, save for the movement of said arm T, will remaininactive until the arm reaches contacts number 1 and 2 oi the series Twhereupon the circuit will be closed first through the contact 1 frombattery it along a wire it, which is a part of the main signal-circuitand is connected to one side of all of the'circuits-i ic from said wireR through the coil of magnet l and over circuit 'i to contact i,assuming switch S to be in the position shown in the drawings, thencealong switch S and circuit T to brush T and over arm T and contact 1 ofthe series T to the uppermost one of the contacts T and from this to theground U over segmcnt U, thus moving; the segment A the distance of onenotch for raising the number 1 opposite pointer l). l Vhen arm T reachescontact number 2 of the series T, the circuit will take the same course,excepting that in stead of passing from arm T into contact 1 ol series Tit will pass into centactnumber 2 of series T, and instead of passinuppermost one cl contacts T it wil pass from the next lower one ofcontacts T into segment U, and thereby impart a second impulse to themagnet l and lift segment A- a sccondnotch, bringing the number 2thereon opposite the point '1). Thus it will be seen tnat the number-oiimpulses reaching the magnet l with the switch S in the position shownand the arm T traversing contacts T will'depend absolutely upon thenumber of contacts T that are overlapped or engaged by the segment U. For convenience in determining the number of the contacts T T T that areoverlapped by their respective segments U U U" suitable actuating meanswith indexes may be provided merits, rmmectively. in the exemplilicationshown these segments ll ll U have segmentruclis l ll ll, which areengaged by pinions be moved to connect one or more of its se- T with theground and 5 from the.

for these seg;

and when broken the pawl erases esired to actuate the segments B C willnow be described. 4

The ratchet .9 may be given ste ).-by-step rotation for bringing theswitch S from one of the contacts to another by any suitable means, as apawl S, connected to an armature 3, arranged within the magnetic held ofan electrcresponsive device or magnet S which is included in aswitch-circuit S which connects at one end with battery B over wire it",so that when said circuit S is closed the pawl S will be drawn back by amagnet S o y any suitable means, as a spring 8, for imparting partialrotation to switch S for movingit irom the contact i to y", for example.The other end of switch-circuit S has a movable terminal in the form ofa revolving arm 5, which is connected to move in concert with butinsulated from arm T in any suitable way, and this movable arm S sweepsover aseries oi grounded switch-contacts I l 1 which are arranged in acircle but situated between the series of contacts T T T" in such amanner that when the arm T leaves one of said latter series the arm 5will engage one of said switch-contacts before arm T reaches the nextone of said latter series, and consequently before the arm T begins tosend imp es over the main signal-circuit T by successively engaging itscircular series of con tests the arm S" will have already engaged one ofthe contacts I l l and shifted the switch S to the corresponding one ofthe contacts i j is, and thereby place the proper one of theelectroresponsive devices I J K in circuit with the main signal-circuitT before such impulses are produced over the signalcircuit T. Thusassuming the parts to be in the position shown in the rawing with thesignal-circuit closed through. the units electroresponsive device I as aresult of the arm S" having "passed over the contact I the next movementof the arm T will efle'ct the closing of the main signal circuit Tintermittently as it trave see the series of contacts T, as alreadydescribed, and by the time arm T passes from the last one of thesecontacts T the arm S will engage contact I and send an. impulse throughswitch-magnet 8*, thereby shifting the switch S onto the cont-act before the arm T reaches the first one of the, units series of contacts Tand as the arm T witch Sto the other contacts j it when it is will beadvanced e phone-j acli passes over these contacts T a numberof impulseswill be sent over the signal-circuit T to the magnet J equal to thenumber of the contacts T that are overlapped by segment U, and by thetime the arm T passes from the last one of contacts T the arm S willengage contact i and thus close the switch-circuit .8 and shift theswitch S onto the contact 76,

so that when the arm T begins its excursion over the contacts T themagnet is. will be in circuit 'ith the main signal-circuit T, and asmany impulses willbe imparted to the magnet K while arm T is travelingover contacts T there are contacts T in circuit with the ground It iscourse understood that the arms T S are so arran ed that the letter i Dwill contact with the contacts in circle only outer circle only, andwhen the arm T is in engagement with any one of the contacts T T T thearm S is not in contact with any of the contacts I l l. The arms T Stravel continuously in the same direction, and when they come to restthey serve to automatically close the telephonecircuit Z by resting uponcontacts Z Z, respectively, so that the telephone-circuit is always inreadiness for the inner use when the motion of the arms T S ceases.

in order that the signal circuit T and switchplug (shown at Z") isinserted in the usual tel- (indicated at Z the circuit S is divided atthe jack and one division runs to contact S and the otherspring-contacts oi the jack, and the wire or circuit T is also dividedat the jack with one of its divisions connected to contact T and theother to the other outer contact-spring of the jack, so that when theplug is withdrawn circuit 8 will be closed through the jack and S andcircuit T through the jack and T and when the plug is-inserted both oithese circuits will be broken at S and T respectively. In illustrating atelephone -circuit and the telephones l have omitted all the usualdetails of switches and connections that go to make up the telephoneapparatus, but which are well understood in tlns art. It is apparentalso that, if desired, the act of inserting the plug Z may cause thepawls L M N to release the racks a b c by a suitable connectionsuch, forexample, as magnet having an armature-lever g connected to rod l, abattery (1, and switch (1, arranged to be closed by the outward movementof one of the outer springs of the jack Z The arms T S are thus revolvedby any suitable motor mechanism, which I have conventionally illustratedby the Weight W, shown as suspended by a cord W from a drunrW and whichdrum is capable of being wound up in any suitable way, so that whenreleased the rotative ower thereof, will beiinparted to the arms S whichwhen not thus impelled remain at rest'on the contacts Z Z by virtue andthe former with those in the;

circuit S may be opened when the telephone- 9 to one olthe outer IOO oftheir frictional engagementtherewith or in Winding up the Weight, anduntil a tooth or projection VJ thcrcon cngages one side of a stop Y,when released the jwcight will cause it and the arms T S to revolvetoward the lcl t until. the projection "W" engages the other side ofstop Y, thc arms having in tho meanwhile made a complete rcwolution andreturned to their respective contacts Z/ W.

Where they remain while the, weight is being againwound up an (1 untilthc lat ter rclcascd, whereupon they again start on their excussionaround the serics of contacts in lln. same direction as before andfinally again arrive at the starting-point, as illustrated in the drawing Hence when the suhsrri bcr wishes to call a certain number suchsubscriber sets tho indexes or thumbuvhecls V Y Y to producc the numberthereon with the ligurcs thereof opposite the pointers X with the units,tons, and hundreds of such number arranged in the order of thearrangemci'it ol' such members V' V" V, thus grmmding as many ol thecontacts 'l T 'l in cach scrios as the number opposite the pointer X onthe members V V? V respectivcly. Tho weight W is thcn wound up andrcleascd, and the result will be the rcyu'oduction of such number at thccentral exchange on tho numboring-machine comprising the segments A B t"by the operation. ol" the parts and tho current passing over thecircuits and connections, as before described.

Having thus described myinvenlion, vhat I claim as new therein, anddesire to sccurc by Letters Patent, is-- 'l in a tclcphonewxchango, thecombination of a numbering nnichine com n'ising a plurality of characlcr-bearing mova lilo mcmhers located at the ccnlral cxcuangc,independent electroresponsive devccs and circuits For: 'tuating saidincmbcrs respectively, a main sigmihswilch for connecting the mainsignahcircuit with an one of the first said circuits, :1 switch-circuit,means for closing said switch-circuit, moans acting simultnns ously withsaid nit-ans for numhcr oil, impulses over said signal-circuit it 'J "iand moans undcr tho control or too sub- . scribcr i'or varying llienumber ofsoid i111 pulses at will.

4. in a tclcphiinc-exchange, the combinavlion ol" a numboring-inachinecomprising a,

plurality ol digit-indicators located at the central cxcl-nngc,clecirorcsponsivc dcviccs and circuits for said indicators respcctively,a switch for closing said circuits respectively, contacts 'lor saidcircuits respectively ar- 'ranged in a series with the first ncxt thelast in the linc of movcmcnt of said switch, said switch being movablecontinuously succc sivcly ovcr said 1 acts "from the lirst to tho lastto the first, s n i sending a various circuit having a movable terminal,

in. signali circuit to any one of said indicators, compriscircuit andmeans underthc control of the subscriber lor actuating said switch andscnding impulscs over said signahcircuit.

In a. t'clephonc-excl'iange, the combination of anumbering nmchine cornrising a 7'9 plurality of digit-indicators locatec at central exchange,a corresponding number oi clectroresponsive devices and circuits for actuating said indicators respectively, a main signal circuit having amovable terminal, 1110:1118 for switching said signal-circuit to any oneof the first said circuits comprisin a. switch-circuit having a movabletermina a plurality of series or contacts corresponding to saidimli'cators respectively and arranged in the line of movement of thefirst said movable terminal, and means under the control of the operatorfor gYOlUKllH any number oi said contacts in each series thereof.

4. In atlephonc-exeharige, the combination of av inimbering-machine comrising a plurality of digit-indicators locate at com tral exchange, acorresponding number-oi. elcet'roresponsive devices and circuits foractuating said indicators respectively, a main 9o signal-circuit havinga movable tcrminsl, means for switching said signal-circuit to any oneof the first said circuits, comprising switch-cirmlit having aIXIOVFLblGtQ'fHLlHSVl, a plurality of series of contacts correspondingto said indicators rcspcctively and arranged in the lino of movement ofthe first said movable terminal, grounded contacts for saidswitch-circuit alternating with said series of contacts and means formoving said movablc tcrminals in concert successively over theirvrcspcctivc contacts.

5. in a telanimus-exchange, the combina lion of a numbcring-msehinecomprising a plurality of indiciitors located at central exelningc, acorresponding number of elect-r0 responsive devices and circuits foractuating.

said indicators respectively, a main signal moans ror switching saidsignahcircuit to any one of the "i lirst said circuits, a plurality ofseries of contacts corresponding to said indicators respectively andarranged in the line of movement of said movable terminal, a pluralityof grounded independently movable contacts lor connecting elcctricallywith one or more of the contacts of the said plurality of series ofcontacts respectively, and movable index nicmbers under the control ofthe oocrator, for said movable contacts respectively hearin numberscorresponding to the numbcr on said digit-imliralors rcspcctivcly.

(5. iii a tele )hiinc-exchange, the combination of alcl'cplionc-circuit,a main signal-circuit leading to the ccnlralcxchange, a flSUZll indicator dcvice localcd at ccntral exchangecomprising a plurality of movable indicators, and means under t wronlrol of the subscriber for sending impulscs over said signcl- 1 meansfor subsequently and automatical y closing the telephone-circuit.

In a telephone-exchange, thecombination of a numbering-machinecomprising a i p change, a corresponding number of electr responsivedevices and circuits for actuating said indicators respectively, a mainsignalcircuit, a plurality of series of indicator-con tactscorresponding to said indicators respectively, means under the controlof the subseriber for grounding one dieator contacts, v groundedswitch-contacts corresponding to said indicators respectively, a switchfor connecting said signal-circuit with any one of said first cirableterminals for said signal-circuit and switch-circuit respectivelyadapted to swee over said indicator-contacts and swatch-cow.

in the same direction, power-storing mechanl ism under the control ofthe subscriber and means for moving said terminals bythe power thusstored.

tacts respec vely and movable continuously tively, a mainsignal-circu1t, means for switching said signal-circuit to any one ofthe first said circuits comprising a switch-circuit, a plurality ofseries of contacts corresponding to said indicators respectively, meansfor successively connecting said contacts with said main signal-circuit,and means acting in concert with the last said means for closing to eswitch-circuit at periods between the time that the last one of saidcontacts of each series and the first one of the'next succeeding seriesis connected with thesignahcircuit, and means under the control of theoperator for grounding one or more of said contacts of any one or moreof said SQllCS. VVILLLU'I MARVIN iilAliFL-XN. Witnesses:

M. (l. MAREAN, M. B; ALLsrAn'r.

